A year ago, I was delighted to introduce my Bill aimed at banning unfair, unpaid work trials – a Bill I believed could change lives, particularly for those just about managing.

That is why it is still so galling that the UK Government talked out the Bill in March.

Since then, the Government have been unable to tell me how many people are being asked to complete unpaid work trials, how much – if any – money has been recouped from HMRC as a result of unpaid work trials, and said unpaid work trials are “permissible” as part of a recruitment process.

Additionally, I’m still hearing horror stories from constituents who are being asked to work hours unpaid, without knowing if they’ll even get the job – if there even is one available.

Read More

It’s all well and good being told this Government “want to see the rights of workers protected; none of us wants to see workers abused, mistreated or unpaid”, but we are yet to see any evidence of that happening in practice.

There has still been no case – far less a prosecution or Government action – against the use of unpaid trials shifts in 20 years of the National Minimum Wage Act.

And the fact remains that unpaid trial shifts contribute to £3billion in missing wages every year.

How can the public have faith in this Government when HMRC have confirmed they have referred MPs, who I had highlighted for advertising unpaid work, to their investigations team?

Public opinion remains firmly against these exploitative practices.

A poll by YouGov just before my Bill was heard showed two-thirds of the public were against unpaid work trials and a petition calling for an end to these practices reached more than 140,000 signatures.

I was so disappointed the Bill didn’t make it through Parliament but I am not giving up the fight.

I shall continue to call on the Government to bring an end to such practices.